How to wire float switch?

[Rene Schmidt]

I just purchased a 1986 Hunter 285. The previous owner had removed the float switch. I want to install one but have a few questions:the Hunters owner manual describes the wiring as follows;brown - bilge pump hotbeige - bilge pump commonblack - bilge inline fuseHow should the three cables be wired to the float switch?Does Hot mean negative?Also, what is the correct way to fasten the floatswitch to the bottom of the bilge? Is it okay to drillsmall holes, and fasten it with stainless steelscrews?Thanx a lot for all of your groups help!Rene

 

[Jeff]

Float Switch

I can't comment on the wiring with surety other than there is a switch on the panel which will turn on the pump in addition to the float switch so you can operate the pump at will. Could be that is where the fuse line goes? The mounting of the switch raises a red flag from other owners in which they remove the screws holding the pump and switch and there were leaks. Apparently somebody at the factory drilled through the hull to mount the pump etc. Why not look around for old screw holes and use them? Just thought I would pass on others' experiences. You could always epoxy some wood into bilge and mount on that but it would raise the trigger level. I alwayd check the bilge before I go out and make sure uit is dry.

 

[red coles]

easy wiring

This is what I would do. First find common wire on pump.I feel it is black.With pump out and a battery,connect black to neg batt.,touch either other lead to pos batt.,pump should run. If this works ok,wire black to neg batt.,wire either other lead to one side of float switch and other side of float switch to fused pos batt. Use other lead of pump to go to a manual switch and other side of man sw to fused pos batt. I realize this seems confusing,and I said it would be easy,but I went into detail, not knowing your experience with wiring  Good luck red